paedomorphosis

British  

/ ˌpiːdəˈmɔːfəsɪs /

noun

1. the resemblance of adult animals to the young of their ancestors: seen in the evolution of modern man, who shows resemblances to the young stages of australopithecines

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Example Sentences

So if paedomorphosis was already perplexing in female beetles, it makes even less sense that a male beetle would not develop wings as an adult.

From New York Times • Jul. 8, 2023

Dr. Ferreira also connected the species to a poorly understood evolutionary trend he and others have studied called paedomorphosis.

From New York Times • Jul. 8, 2023